Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
  • B23Q3/00—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine
  • B23Q3/15—Devices for holding work using magnetic or electric force acting directly on the work
  • B23Q3/154—Stationary devices
  • B23Q3/1543—Stationary devices using electromagnets
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
  • B25B—TOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
  • B25B11/00—Work holders not covered by any preceding group in the subclass, e.g. magnetic work holders, vacuum work holders
  • B25B11/002—Magnetic work holders

Definitions

• the present invention refers to a magnetic device for clamping ferromagnetic workpieces, particularly, a modular magnetic device for clamping magnetic workpieces, according to claim 1.
• ferrous elements for example the ring-shaped ones, such as: fifth wheels, bearings and round flanges used in power plants and wind generators, earth moving machines, radars and communications equipment, cranes on off-shore rigs, machine tools, and gearboxes, and also in marine engines and transmissions, magnetic plates are used.
• such magnetic plates In order to process these elements, such magnetic plates must have a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the one of the bed of a machine tool necessary for performing said mechanical processing in order to better exploit the capacity of the machine tool, without wasting spaces for receiving supplemental clamping systems, such as clamps.
• the element to be mechanically processed is one of the above identified elements, and has, for example, a diameter not greater than 2000 mm, it is generally known the use of the typical integrally-made magnetic plates having the same diameter.
• the main electrical problem is associated to the high number of the necessary electrical cables. For example, when a short-circuit occurs in a portion of the magnetic system, it causes a shut-down of the whole magnetic plate , negatively affecting the production, and causing the intervention of skilled technicians for its substitution.
• the main mechanical problem is associated to the increase of the distance between the abutment points of the workpiece because the magnetic plate is configured with a radial polar arrangement.
• the distance among the abutment points of the workpiece on the magnetic area increases as the size of the surface increases which in turn causes a limitation of the machine performance in order to reduce the vibrations on the workpiece.
• the main management problem is associated to the necessary handling of the magnetic system for moving it from the roughing step to the finishing step of the workpiece, which since is bulky imposes large spaces and expensive and consequently encumbrant handling systems.
• the problem underpinning the present invention consists of devising a magnetic device which has the operative characteristics such to satisfy said need, obviating, at the same time, the above mentioned inconveniences.
• the modular magnetic device for clamping ferromagnetic workpieces is positioned only in proximity of the ferromagnetic workpiece to be clamped.
• the magnetic devices are modular which consequently insures their substitution, in case of faults, in any moment with other devices of the same type.
• the present invention when a plurality of modular magnetic devices are connected one to the other, there are many abutment points for the workpiece to be clamped which can be easily removed and substituted, and further can be made of a magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
• Such plurality of abutment points ensures a superior quality of the processings which are performed on the clamped elements.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of the modular magnetic device in an embodiment thereof
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the modular magnetic device of Figure 1 ,
• FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a structure comprising a plurality of modular magnetic devices of the type shown in Figure 1 when the latter are connected one to the other.
• reference number 1 shows a modular magnetic device according to the present invention.
• the modular magnetic device 1 comprises a frame 2 in which a first magnetic circuit 3 and a second magnetic circuit 4 are arranged.
• Frame 2 is made of ferromagnetic materials by manufacturing techniques known to a person skilled in the field and therefore they are not described.
• frame 2 of the modular magnetic device 1 comprises a first part 2A, in which the first magnetic circuit 3 is arranged, and a second part 2B in which the second magnetic circuit 4 is arranged.
• first part 2A can be distinct and separated from the second part 2B and, once they are reciprocally connected, as shown in Figure 2, they can form the modular magnetic device 1.
• the modular magnetic device 1 is monolithic or made in just one piece, in other words the first part 2A and second part 2B are integral.
• frame 2 of the modular magnetic device 1 substantially extends along a longitudinal direction X-X and defines a first and second sides 1" at the longest opposed surfaces whose ends define a rear part " and a front part 1"" of frame 2.
• the longitudinal direction X-X represents a symmetry axis of the frame 2 of device 1 so that the rear part ⁇ " and the front part 1"" are opposed one to the other along said symmetry axis X-X.
• the first magnetic circuit 3 is configured for generating a first magnetic field defining at the first side 1 ' of frame 2 a clamping magnetic plate .
• the first clamping magnetic plate is the surface of the modular magnetic device 1 adapted for clamping a ferromagnetic workpiece to be mechanically processed.
• the second magnetic circuit 4 is configured for generating a second magnetic field defining, at the first side 1" of frame 2, a second clamping magnetic plate .
• the second clamping magnetic plate 1" is the surface of the modular magnetic device 1 adapted to clamp the modular magnetic device 1 to a bed of a machine tool (not shown in figures), in other words of the machine tool adapted to perform the mechanical operations of turning, milling, etc. on the ferromagnetic piece.
• first part 2A of frame 2 is configured in order to house inside it, for example, the first magnetic circuit 3 while the second part 2B is configured in order to house the second magnetic circuit 4.
• the first and second magnetic circuits 3, 4 are of a known type, and are configured for generating an electro-permanent magnetic field.
• the first magnetic circuit 3 and the second magnetic circuit 4 are independently controllable one from the other, in other words such first and second magnetic circuits 3, 4 can be turned on or off independently one from the other.
• control central unit configured for delivering suitable electrical signals to the first and/or second magnetic circuits 3, 4 so that to perform the turning-on or turning-off cycles of the reversible magnetic cores forming the above mentioned magnetic circuits 3, 4 by energizing the electrical coils arranged around said magnetic cores.
• the kind of magnetic circuit 3 can be as or different from the kind of magnetic circuit 4.
• the first and second magnetic circuits 3, 4 are preferably distinct one from the other, but it is better to note that in some particular embodiments of the invention, the functions of such two magnetic circuits can be performed by only one magnetic circuit of the self-anchoring type, as the one described in document WO 2009/130722 Al, which is integrally incorporated as reference.
• the characteristic of the modular magnetic device 1 consists of comprising first mechanical and electrical connection means 6, 10 and second mechanical and electrical connection means 5, 1 1. It is useful to outline that the first mechanical connection means 6 and first electrical connection means 10 are integral one to the other, as well the second mechanical connection means 5 and the second electrical connection means 11.
• the second mechanical and electrical connection means 5, 11, when is in operation, enables to mechanically and electrically connect the modular magnetic device 1 to the corresponding first electrical and mechanical connection means 6, 10 of a second modular magnetic device in order to form a series of magnetic devices (see Figure 3).
• the electrical and mechanical connection between the corresponding second connection means of the first device and the first connection means of the second device it is possible to electrically and mechanically link one to the other a series (two, three, four, five, ten, twenty or more) of magnetic devices arranged adjacent one to the other.
• each modular magnetic device 1 is a module of such structure.
• the housing of the first mechanical and electrical connection means 6, 10 while at the rear part " it is provided the housing of the second mechanical and electrical connection means 5, 11.
• the first 6, 10 and second electrical and mechanical connection means 5, 11 of the modular magnetic device 1 and of the further modular magnetic devices are complementary means.
• the mechanical and electrical connection means must be complementary and must comprise means for linking the first modular magnetic device and its adjacent device configured for establishing a mechanical and electrical lock and for enabling a reciprocal movement between the two magnetic devices.
• the linkage means are implemented by a rotary coupling about a constraint axis Y-Y, which is transversal, preferably, orthogonal to the extension direction X-X.
• the rotation about the constraint axis Y-Y is equal to an angle a which is comprised in a range of varying values, for example, between 0° and ⁇ 120°, so that said modular magnetic device can be tilted by said angle a relative to the adjacent modular magnetic device.
• the linkage between the corresponding complementary mechanical and electrical connection means of the two magnetic devices provides that there is a coupling such to ensure an electrical, mechanical connection and a possible rotation about the constraint axis Y-Y.
• the linkage means extend along the constraint axis Y-Y.
• the first and second electrical connection means comprise a male input connector 10 and a corresponding female output connector 1 1.
• Such male 10 and female connectors 11 are arranged exactly where there are the mechanical connection means 6 and 5, respectively.
• male 10 and female connectors 11 are electrically connected one to the other by electrical cables 12.
• the electrical cables 12 are arranged inside each modular magnetic device, in other words they are not outside the modular magnetic devices.
• the plurality of electrical cables 12 comprise seven cables each of them is responsible for conveying specific electrical signals as turning-on or turning-off signals, electrical protection signals, etc.
• the male and female electrical connectors 10, 11 can be for example made by plugs and outlets, or by bayonet-type or similar couplings.
• the housing wherein the first mechanical and electrical connection means 6, 10 are received in other words the front part 1"
• the front part 1" is a mirror-image of the rear part ⁇ " wherein the second mechanical and electrical connection means 5, 1 1 are located.
• frame 2 of the modular magnetic device 1 has an area 13 which can be magnetic or non-magnetic acting as an abutment and reference point for the workpiece which must be processed.
• such area 13 can be coaxial with said first mechanical and electrical connection means 6, 10, in other words is coaxial with the constraint axis Y-Y of the linkage means.
• such area 13 can be easily replaceable and/or customized in order to adapt it to the processing workpiece specifications.
• the first mechanical connection means comprise a connector 6 of the first modular magnetic device wherein the second connection means comprise a connector 5 of the second modular magnetic device.
• the coupling between connector 6 of the first modular magnetic device and connector 5 of the second modular magnetic device can be made by inserting connector 6 of the first modular magnetic device in connector 5 of second modular magnetic device in order to form a shape coupling having a tolerance adapted to enable a firm mechanical connection between the two magnetic devices and to enable the angular rotation a between the two magnetic devices about the common constraint axis Y-Y.
• Such connectors 5 and 6 can have a substantially cylindrical shape even though different implementation forms are provided.
• the two magnetic devices can be rotated one from the other between 0° and ⁇ 120° with respect to the symmetry axis Y-Y.
• a magnetic clamping structure having, for example, a circular shape (alternatively, also other shapes as for example the octagonal, hexagonal, square, rectangular shapes).

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Jigs For Machine Tools (AREA)
• Shielding Devices Or Components To Electric Or Magnetic Fields (AREA)
• Coils Or Transformers For Communication (AREA)
• Joining Of Building Structures In Genera (AREA)

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• 2011
  • 2011-09-19 IT IT001679A patent/ITMI20111679A1/it unknown
• 2012
  • 2012-07-26 JP JP2014530336A patent/JP5917699B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-07-26 EP EP12759240.0A patent/EP2758212B1/en active Active
  • 2012-07-26 KR KR1020147007410A patent/KR101897853B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2012-07-26 WO PCT/IB2012/053826 patent/WO2013041984A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2012-07-26 IN IN2932CHN2014 patent/IN2014CN02932A/en unknown
  • 2012-07-26 CN CN201280053225.2A patent/CN103998184B/zh active Active
  • 2012-07-26 PL PL12759240T patent/PL2758212T3/pl unknown
  • 2012-07-26 ES ES12759240.0T patent/ES2559632T3/es active Active
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